Go ahead. Take away my gay card now.

I saw "Mamma Mia" the movie this weekend and I was very disappointed. Apparently I have very high expectations of of movie-musicals. I mean, c'mon; with such recent amazing productions like "Across the Universe," "Hairspray," "Rent," and of course, "Moulin Rouge," I have high tastes in the movie-musical genre.

I'm glad I went to a matinee because I would have hit myself for paying full price. As I sat through the movie, I tried to pinpoint exactly what it was I didn't like about it.

Let's see....
Hot men in bathing suits? Oh, no. That was VERY nice.
ABBA music? LOVE me some ABBA.
Hot men in bathing suits singing and dancing to ABBA on a Greek Island? Nope, that was highly enjoyable.
The surprising gay twist at the end? Um, no.
Pierce Brosnan's singing? I heard that it was kind of awful but I really didn't mind. He did look BAD though.
The bad, OVER-acting of the entire cast? Oh, yeah, that was it.
And, the annoying plot, lines and misplacement of the songs? Yup, that too.

This movie was just downright bizarre. I understand it's supposed to be funny and it's a musical and because it's a movie, it's not REAL, but I found it very hard to watch. I loved Meryl Streep's singing; she has a great voice but I found her acting strange. It wasn't just Meryl's acting; most of the cast was just really strange. I think that's why I didn't like it.

Maybe I need to see it again. It distresses me so that I found a musical I did not like (cause I love them all!).

"It's like one big gay soap opera!"

I have long been told by my gays that Broken Hearts Club is one of the best (gay) movies ever. I finally decided to watch it to see what all of the hype is.

So, I rented it and watched it.

And, I don't get the hype. I wonder if I don't get the movie just because I'm not a gay man or what. While I only hang out with gay men and since the movie is about gay men hanging out, it just doesn't make any sense to me. I don't know.

Maybe it's because I didn't think it was very realistic without a fag hag being a part of the group of friends.

"Without you, today's emotion's would be the scurf of yesterday's."

Have you ever seen a movie that is so strange it's cute; so sweet it makes you smile throughout the whole thing; and so complex it makes you think and re-evaluate life?

Amelie is a movie like that. Ever since I have known Shawn, he has talked about this movie and how wonderful it is. So, I decided to rent to to find out exactly why.

"A celebration of life," is what the cover reads. Amelie's life seems almost ordinary. But what she does with it is what makes the story extraordinary. The most simple acts transform her life and those she touches--some for the good, some for the better. When she starts out committing a random act of kindness for someone she has never met, she doesn't know that the journey she begins will change her life.

I love the fact that the smallest of pleasures delight Amelie. She has an outlook on life that is so rare--she revels in the mysteries and secrets that life holds.

All she really wants is to find her one true love. And when she finally does, she hides. She doesn't want to know that the love she's experiencing is real.

"Everyone pretend to be normal!"

I quite enjoy movies.

So much so that I have seen 7 movies in the past 4 days (and nights).

Friday night was my evening of Sundance in Park City. I went and saw (another) gay religious movie called, "Save Me." This movie was a fictional account of a young gay drug addict (because there obviously isn't any other kind) who tries to kill himself by way of overdose. His family sends him to a religious group home to "save him" from his homosexuality. It was a good movie, starring child-actor-turned-big-old-fag Chad Allen. Anyone remember Chad? Yeah, I thought not. But I did see his very hot body in the graphic sex scene in the beginning of the movie. Oh yeah.

The next movie I saw was a midnight showing of "The Monastery". It is a documentary about an 80-year-old man who owns a deteriorating castle in Denmark with dreams to have its' final use as a monastery. Some Russian nuns come in and when they start to fix it up, he freaks out. It's a very touching and funny film. I met the director after the movie and talked to her for a while. That was cool.

Saturday morning, after having gone to sleep at 3 AM, I was up in time for an 11 o'clock showing of "Three Comrades," a Russian documentary about three life-long friends and how their lives are interrupted by the Chechen wars. I enjoyed the movie; it ran a little long and I would have edited it a little differently, however.

After that, I went to see "Reprise," a Norwegian film about two friends who are both writers and what happens when one gets his book published and the other doesn't. I liked the movie although there were way too many sub-plots and A LOT needs to be cut out.

With Sundance ending on Sunday, I didn't think I could handle seeing any more movies but Jesse talked me into seeing "The Queen" on Sunday morning. I wasn't really sure what to expect but it was quite enjoyable. I wished that the movie had been more than just about Princess Diana's death (sorry about the spoiler) but it was very good acting, music, and cinematography.

Monday night, I went over to Jesse and Brian's house to eat and watch "An Inconvenient Truth." Yes, I've already seen it and I'm glad I saw it again. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT RENT IT TODAY! It will change your life, I swear. (Okay, maybe not. But still...) Al Gore for President!

And tonight, to finish it off, I went and saw "Little Miss Sunshine" for the 2nd time. Words can not describe how much I love this movie. It is by far one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is so much like life yet so unreal at the same time. Incredible. It now has a very symbolic meaning for me. When I first saw it, it was because a chapter in my life had closed. And with this second viewing, another one has opened.

Oh, and before I forget. I saw another Sundance film two Sundays ago called "Waitress" and it was very good as well. See it when it comes out.

Thank you.

Sundance Review: For the Bible Tells Me So

As part of my duties as the Community Events chair for the Utah HRC committee, I planned a free screening of the Sundance film, "For the Bible Tells Me So" this afternoon. It was a documentary that centered around the Right Reverend Gene Robinson and what exactly the Bible says about homosexuality. It chronicled the lives of four gay people and their very religious families, including Congressman Gephart and his daughter Chrissy.

It was a very touching film that talked about all aspects of how the religious right uses the Bible as a defense for their homophobia. One woman told the story of her lesbian daughter who committed suicide when she was only 30-years-old because she had refused to even talk to her after she came out. She exclaimed that she did not want her daughter's death to be in vain and has now become very active PLFAG and Soulforce.

The director interviewed multiple religious pastors regarding exactly what the Bible says about the subject and the overwhelming response was, "Although the Bible may say those words, that is not what they mean." You see, the cultural and literary meanings have changed SO much since the Bible was written that it is very common for many to interpret it the way they want--and only their way. It even delves into the true story of Sodom & Gomorrah.

As I was watching the parents in the film, I began to think how any parent could possibly stop loving their child simply because they disagree with their lifestyle. Even the most religious parents--while they disagreed with homosexuality--still expressed their deep love for their child even though their Bible tells them it is wrong. I just don't understand how one can stop loving their child.

I've always asserted that Jesus does not hate gay people as many religious zealots claim. The Jesus I believe in loves all of his children. The Jesus I believe in wouldn't treat any of his children--gay or straight--the way many gay people are treated. I am certain that He, like the parents in this film, ache and anguish for how their gay children are treated. It breaks my heart too.

If you live somewhere in Utah, go see this film before Sundance is over. If not, make sure you see it when it comes out later this year. You won't regret the $8 to $10 you will spend, I guarantee it.

A Confession

I recently saw an ad for the movie, Alpha Dogs, and really, really want to see it. And I think Justin Timberlake looks really, really hot in it. I didn't used to think JT was hot and I don't know if it's because I hang out with so many gay men or he's just really hot in this movie.

"Have you taken Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?"

"No. But I love his work."

From Hedwig and the Angry Inch which I watched for the first time ever tonight. I must say, it's one of the best movies I've ever seen.

I love the music. I love the acting. I love the lead actor. I love the story.

The story is much more than just an angry drag queen who has an awesome voice. It's the story about finding oneself--of figuring out who we are. We are more than just the labels society puts on us or we put on ourselves. We are unique, wonderful human beings.

Through the whole movie, we find Hedwig struggling to find her other half because she believes that will make her whole. This movie shows us that we are perfect and beautiful and wonderful by ourselves. We don't need someone else to make us whole. It's a very touching self-examination for all of us, I think.

"I put on some makeup. Turn on the 8-track. I'm pulling a wig down from the shelf."

Freedomland

Three words: NO, NO, NO!

Do not go see this movie. Don't ask me why, just trust me and don't go see it. Not only will you want those two hours of your life and your $8 back, you will also want to poke both eyes out with a prickly cactus that smells like cat pee while someone is scraping their fingernails on a chalkboard while another person imitates Jim Carrey's "Want-to-hear-the-most-annoying-sound-in-the-world" scene from Dumb & Dumber while a 50 lb. dumbell is dropped on your foot over and over and over.

Some reviews from the people I saw it with:

Scott: "The worst part of the movie was when I dropped my cyanide tablet and couldn't find it in the dark."

Eric: "That was fucking awful."

Brian's other friend, Bobby: "It's good I was sitting next to Eric or else I would have freaked out."

If you do see it, don't say I didn't warn you.

Screw Freedomland, I'd surrender my freedom before I'd watch that again.

(Oh, and I left my purse in the theater. Fortunately, I remembered before we even got in the car.)

A good thing did come out of it, Brian is no longer allowed to pick movies anymore. Hooray!

Remember Sammy Jankis

I watch Memento for the first time last night. (I know, I know, I'm about 5 years off the bandwagon. Oh, and I watched it on VHS.) Very, very fascinating movie.

A few things I knew about the movie before I watched it:

• It goes backward.
• One really had to pay attention or they'd be lost.

A few things I noticed about the movie while I watched it:

• Natalie, you're a bitch!
• Guy Pearce is HOT!

A few things I want to know after I watched it:

• How did he know 'John G.' killed his wife?
• How did he get to wherever he was and why?

Hmmm, intriguing, no?

Gay Star Wars

I knew there was something a little fishy about those Star Wars guys!

Can I just tell you how much I love video editing? I mean, taking an original work and completely changing it into a new idea/product is so cool. People who are able to do this are genius.

Which 'Mean Girl' are you?

I took this quiz yesterday.

And it turns out that I was Brendan, the gay boy.

Yeah. I definitely have way too many gay friends.

But, I re-took it and now, I'm Cady!

I (heart) Lindsay Lohan!

Cady Heron


Which Mean Girl are you?
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